Official: Unsubstantiated Trade Suggestions, Speculation, And Rumors

Just say the word. I have more.

 

Okafor is interesting in the sense that he is really young, still signed quite cheaply (2 years and about 11.3 million the two seasons after this) and while his flaws are well-known and his role diminished this season, the guy did average 17.5ppg 7rpg 1.2bpg 50.8fg% as a rook last season so he isn't a bum or anything. What works against Philly is teams know they are looking to move him - and have for months - and also the market has several big men theoretically available. Nikola Vucevic. Serge Ibaka. Kosta Koufos. Jusuf Nurkic. Brook Lopez. Taj Gibson. Andrew Bogut. If I'm a GM, dependent on my needs and what I am willing to part with, Okafor could rank low on the list. Especially if what you need is defense.

 

Okafor for Mozgov, do it Mitch!

 

I would love okafor on this team, he's obviously unhappy and really wanted to be a laker you could tell in draft night. I would offer Lou and a 2nd round pick for him in a heartbeat

 

Big of you and the offer would blow them away .....

 

Okafor would have been a good prospect 20 years ago ....

 

Randle+Clarkson+Top3 for Paul George. Is that a fair trade?

 

It's a nice package and strictly from a value-standpoint it's probably a fair offer. I think the Top 3 pick is especially enticing because Teague is a free agent and they can replace him with one of the elite PG prospects. Or if they want to keep Teague and confident in their ability to re-sign him, they can consider one of the SF prospects like Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum or Jonathan Isaac to replace George. That said, I'm of the belief Indiana passes. Randle might not have as much value to them as they have a capable starting PF in Thaddeus Young. They could certainly use an upgrade at SG over Ellis, Glenn Robinson and Stuckey but they might be stuck with all 3 next season, so it's probably a lesser need compared to PG and SF. I think the main issue with the offer is that while Randle, Clarkson and a Top 3 pick are nice pieces and form a nice package, none of them individually is really that high-value that a team like Indiana would be enticed enough to part with an All-Star in his prime. You win in this league with star talent, not accruing a bunch of depth. Albeit good depth but still lacking. The draft pick is enticing as I said but because the draft doesn't have sure-fire prospects at the top, it does lose some of it's value in a trade. Realistically speaking, and I say this being objective and looking at it on their end, they'd want Russell or Ingram to be included. Along with that Top 3 pick. Russell/Ingram, Top 3 pick and cap filler (no, not Deng or Mozgov - more likely the expiring of Tarik Black) sounds like a steep price - and I, like everyone else, hate the idea of giving up Russell/Ingram - but let's be real, that's the type of package that it takes to get a stud like George in his prime (27 in May).

 

^unless PG comes out and demands a trade.

 

If he demands a trade to the Lakers, sure. Then of course it helps the Lakers' leverage - especially with George potentially one year away from free agency. George is a CA kid and is said to have idolized Kobe, so I can see the Lakers being an attractive destination for him. If he demands a trade in general, then obviously doesn't help the Lakers that much. There will be multiple suitors willing to pay a handsome price for him. Adrian Woj said a few weeks ago that teams have been calling about George and that'll again be the case this summer if he hits the market. I think if Boston falls short in the postseason again, they'll be the most aggressive suitor. At the same time, Adrian Woj indicated Indy said he is absolutely not available to those teams calling. That's obviously something that could change this summer but I think Indy still views him as a long term piece.

Worth noting is Indy has won 7 in a row and has climbed to 29-22 and the 6th in the East. Only 2 games behind #3 Toronto. So yeah, talking about a George trade right now might be a moot point.

 

This is a good time to talk to every team about Lou. He is killing it. Last 10 games - 22.2ppg 3.2rpg 4apg 47.8fg%. The trade deadline is in about two weeks, so teams should know whether or not they are going to be "buyers" and if Lou is the type of player they could use for the playoff push. I don't think his value will be any higher than it is right now.... unless he averages like 30ppg the next 4 games. Which isn't unrealistic at all.

 

Smooothest of criminals. The guy just makes what he does look almost easy. No primal screams, ball grabbing, chest thumping or goofy Nick stuff. Love the way Lou has played in Luke's system this year.

Deal with it Travis.

 

If he wants to continue enjoying his resurrected basketball career with this coaching staff who made the impossible possible in his beloved So Cal, then Nick will do another hometown discount with a decent earned raise. Nick's still got good years left as well. With him playing the right way now and with better D, including on SFs, than Lou ..... we'd still have that guy pretty much. Or a starter when needed. Clarkson too.

 

Okafor to the Pelicans I heard

 

Magic shopping Vucevic, Jeff Green and Ibaka. Apparently their asking price is way too high but I'd at least inquire about Ibaka.